Road open after landslide cleared

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The A83 in Argyll has partially reopened after a major landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful last month closed a long stretch of the carriageway.

It reopened at 1600 GMT on Friday and will stay open to single lane traffic until 0800 GMT on Monday morning.

Scotland TranServ said experts had been working around the clock to clear the debris from the road.

The final stage of work will be completed during a closure next week that is expected to take 24-48 hours.

A specialist helicopter from Inverness was called in to assist in the process.

The reality is that we are at the mercy of nature but the experts have been battling as hard as they possibly can to make the road safe Stewart Stevenson Transport Minister

High pressure water pipes were used to carry out a controlled landslip of the remaining hazardous material above the road.

During the closure, drivers faced a 45-mile diversion, adding as much as two hours to some journeys.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This has been a frustrating time for everyone.

"The reality is that we are at the mercy of nature, and the weather has hampered efforts this week, but the experts on the ground have been battling as hard as they possibly can to make the road safe.

"With one final piece of work due early next week, it looks like local communities can now look forward to the road being open permanently towards the end of next week."

Scotland TranServ said work regarding the final removal of debris was weather dependent.

A spokesman said: "It is intended to undertake this work at the earliest opportunity and forecasts indicate the weather window might be Monday 12 November and Tuesday 13 November."